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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "tom adewale" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tomadewale1@1000000jf.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:04:10 +0100
Subject: Kind Attention,
Kind Attention,
Based on our investigation of your payment file, we want to find out if you're still available to receive your fund?
The contract award committee on debt recovery in collaborations with the Central Bank has approved the transfer of 7.5million dollars on paid payments for the constructions and maintenance of the warri and kaduna refinery since 2006-2009 to you as the beneficiary of the fund. This is due to your previous Attempt to claim the fund as the heir
Do forward Below details to my alternative email; tomadewale1@1000000jf.com for prompt actions and details information’s on how to achieve this claim without any breach of law.
Your Ful Names:
Contact Address/ Telephone Number:
previous transactions with details if any:
Total Contract Amount if Any:
Money paid for expenses if Any:
Thanks
Tom Ade
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Anti-fraud resources:
